DIY Green Solar Energy

This is part 2 of a tour with detailed explanation of a residential solar thermal/solar hot water heater system. Here I do into detail on various parts/components including the controller, temperature sensors, expansion tanks, flow meter, bypass valve assembly and stagnation control methods like vacation bypass valves, heat dump radiator, and covering the collector with a tarp. The system is the Enerworks one. It’s installed in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, so cold climate issues apply. The solar panels or collectors are flat plate type. The solar tank and the natural gas backup tank are shown, as well as the heat exchanger and all piping. How the solar energy from the sun heats the absorber in the collector and then the food grade propylene glycol (antifreeze) and water mix is also covered. For more on solar thermal/solar hot water heating systems, see: rimstar.org – rimstar.org

Material: Recycled glass – 1/4″x28″x75″ Frame/back – 3pcs of 2″x6″x8ft 1sht of 1/2″ plywood Trim – 3pcs of 3/4″x2-1/2″x8ft (spruce, pine or fir) 3pcs of 1/4″x1″x8ft plywood strips (optional if the trim can be rabbited over the glass) 1 sht of 1″ styrofoam insulation Approx. 40 sqft of scrap aluminum flatstock (to cover interior of frame and plywood – any metal will work as long as it’s thin enough to cut with tin snips) 135 ‘clean’ beer/pop cans 2 cans of ‘flat black’ heat resistant spray paint 2 tubes of clear rubberized silicone 1 large roll of ‘foil tape’ 5 lbs of 2″ or 2-1/2″ common nails or wood screws 1 small box of aluminum ‘soffit’ nails